Method and apparatus for framing an object

ABSTRACT

A framing apparatus for framing an object is disclosed. The framing apparatus includes a foam frame body defining an aperture and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some of a peripheral surface of the object. Methods and kits are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of PCT internationalapplication no. PCT/CA2015/050697 filed Jul. 24, 2015, which claims thebenefit of, and priority to, U.S. provisional patent application No.62/029,500 filed Jul. 27, 2014. The entire contents of PCT internationalapplication no. PCT/CA2015/050697 are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to framing.

RELATED ART

Some frames include interconnected ledges that may hold between them aglass pane and a rear wall to frame an object between the glass pane andthe rear wall. However, such glass panes may be relatively heavy and maycause disturbing light reflections.

Alternatively, a frame-mounted canvas may include a canvas mounted to aframe. The canvas may be “gallery wrapped” or otherwise stretched andmounted to such a frame, and a front surface of the canvas may bepainted, printed, or otherwise bear an image such as a painting, aprint, a printed photograph, or other artwork for example. Such aframe-mounted canvas may be mounted or otherwise displayed without aframe, or may be framed by assembling a floater frame around theframe-mounted canvas, for example. However, such a floater frame may becustom-made, and assembling such a floater frame around such aframe-mounted canvas may be cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming, andmay require complex tools or skills.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of framing anobject having a peripheral surface, the method comprising positioning atleast some of the object in an aperture defined by a foam frame bodywith at least some of the peripheral surface of the object in frictionalengagement with a frictional contact surface of the foam frame bodysurrounding at least some of the aperture of the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises positioning a rearside of the object against at least one stop in the aperture.

In some embodiments, positioning the at least some of the object in theaperture comprises framing a front side of the object, wherein framingthe front side of the object comprises positioning a rear side of theobject opposite the front side of the object against at least one stopin the aperture.

In some embodiments, positioning the at least some of the object in theaperture comprises framing a front side of the object, wherein framingthe front side of the object comprises positioning the front side of theobject against at least one stop in the aperture.

In some embodiments, framing the front side of the object furthercomprises covering a portion of the front side of the object with the atleast one stop.

In some embodiments, framing the front side of the object furthercomprises surrounding a portion of the front side of the object with theat least one stop.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises mounting the objectand the foam frame body to a wall.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to thewall comprises causing the wall to support the object and to support thefoam frame body only by supporting the object.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to thewall comprises: connecting a fastener to the wall; and connecting theobject to the fastener.

In some embodiments, connecting the fastener to the wall comprises:positioning a marker body on the fastener at a position on the fastenerindicating a distance between a connector on the object and a rearsurface of the foam frame body when the at least some of the object isreceived in the aperture defined by the foam frame body; and connectingthe fastener to the wall with a connector on the fastener, complementaryto the connector on the object, spaced apart from the wall according tothe distance indicated by the marker body.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to thewall comprises connecting a link body to the object and to the wall.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to thewall comprises causing the wall to support the foam frame body and tosupport the object only by supporting the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, mounting the object and the foam frame body to thewall comprises connecting a link body to the foam frame body and to thewall.

In some embodiments, the object comprises a frame and a canvas mountedto the frame.

According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a framing apparatusfor framing an object having a peripheral surface, the apparatuscomprising a foam frame body defining an aperture and having africtional contact surface surrounding at least some of the aperture forfrictionally engaging at least some of the peripheral surface of theobject.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one stopin the aperture.

In some embodiments, the at least one stop defines a stop surfacerecessed behind a front surface of the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the front surface of the foam frame body defines aframe positioned to frame a front surface of the object when a portionof a rear surface of the object opposite the front surface of the objectis positioned against the stop surface.

In some embodiments, the at least one stop comprises a ledge having arear surface that is opposite the stop surface and that is generallycontinuous with a rear surface of the foam frame body opposite the frontsurface of the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the rear surface of the ledge defines a framepositioned to frame a front surface of the object when a portion of thefront surface of the object is positioned against the stop surface.

In some embodiments, the rear surface of the ledge and the rear surfaceof the foam frame body are generally coplanar.

In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the foam framebody comprises: a first generally planar surface; a second generallyplanar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the firstgenerally planar surface; a third generally planar surface adjacent andgenerally perpendicular to the second generally planar surface; and afourth generally planar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular tothe first and third generally planar surfaces.

In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the foam framebody comprises at least one surface of at least one resilientprojection.

In some embodiments, the frictional contact surface of the foam framebody consists essentially of the first, second, third, and fourthgenerally planar surfaces.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least oneresilient projection connectable to the frictional contact surface ofthe foam frame body to project away from the frictional contact surface.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a mountingapparatus configured to mount the object and the foam frame body to awall.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to connect theobject to the wall.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to connect theobject to the wall independently of the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a fastenerconnectable to the wall and connectable to the object when the fasteneris connected to the wall and when the at least some of the object isreceived in the aperture defined by the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the fastener comprises a marker body positionableon the fastener at a position on the fastener indicating a distancebetween a connector on the object and a rear surface of the foam framebody when the at least some of the object is received in the aperturedefined by the foam frame body.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a link bodyconnectable to the object and to the wall.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to connect thefoam frame body to the wall.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus is configured to connect thefoam frame body to the wall independently of the object.

In some embodiments, the mounting apparatus comprises a link bodyconnectable to the foam frame body and to the wall.

According to another embodiment, there is disclosed a kit comprising:the apparatus; and the object.

In some embodiments, the object comprises a frame and an image substrate(such as a canvas, for example) mounted to the frame.

Other aspects and features will become apparent to those ordinarilyskilled in the art upon review of the following description ofillustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the foam frame body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a resilient body and a connector forconnecting the resilient body to the foam frame body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the foam frame body of FIG. 1, andof a frame-mounted canvas that may be framed by the foam frame body,with a canvas of the frame-mounted canvas partially broken away toillustrate a frame of the frame-mounted canvas.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4partially received in an aperture of the foam frame body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the frame-mounted canvas ofFIG. 4 and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to a wall using themounting apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connector connectable to theframe-mounted canvas of FIG. 4 and to the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, taken along the line 11-11 in FIG. 5,and also showing the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9 connected to theconnector of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 9connected to a wall.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to the wall of FIG. 12 usingthe mounting apparatus of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the frame-mounted canvas of FIG. 4and the foam frame body of FIG. 1, mounted to a wall using the mountingapparatus of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mounting apparatus according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of two frame-mounted canvasespartially received in respective apertures of the foam frame body ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a foam frame body according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the foam frame body of FIG. 19,taken along the line 20-20 in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the foam frame body of FIG. 19,and of a frame-mounted canvas received in an aperture of the foam framebody of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the foam frame body of FIG. 19,and of a frame-mounted canvas received in an aperture of the foam framebody of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a foam frame body 100 according to one embodiment.Herein, “foam” refers to a lightweight resilient cellular materialincluding gas bubbles formed during manufacture of the material. In theembodiment shown, the foam frame body 100 is formed from Ethylene VinylAcetate (“EVA”) foam having a density of about 45 kilograms per cubicmeter, also known as “EVA 45” foam, but alternative embodiments mayinclude different foam materials. Also, in the embodiment shown, thefoam frame body 100 is unitarily formed by cutting the foam frame body100, using a Computer Numerical Control (“CNC”) router for example, froma larger sheet of foam, but alternative embodiments may be unitarilyformed in different ways (by molding, for example) or formed from two ormore separate pieces of foam. Also, in various embodiments, the foamframe body 100 may be one or more different colours and one or moredifferent textures, and may include one or more of various differentcoatings to impart a desired finish or to protect outer surfaces of thefoam frame body 100, for example.

The foam frame body 100 has a front side shown generally at 102 and arear side shown generally at 104 and opposite the front side 102. On thefront side 102, the foam frame body 100 has a generally planar andgenerally rectangular front surface 106 that defines an opening to anaperture shown generally at 108. Inside the aperture 108, the foam framebody 100 defines a stop 110 having a stop surface 112 on the front sideof the stop 110 facing the front side 102 of the foam frame body 100.The stop 110 in the embodiment shown is a ledge defining a cutawayregion shown generally at 114 on a first side shown generally at 116 ofthe foam frame body 100, and a cutaway region shown generally at 118 ona second side shown generally at 120 of the foam frame body 100. Thecutaway regions 114 and 118 may receive portions of mounting apparatusesas described below, for example. However, instead of two rounded cutawayregions 114 and 118 in the embodiment shown, alternative embodiments mayhave no cutaway regions, or may have more or fewer cutaway regions, andcutaway regions in alternative embodiments may be rectangular orotherwise shaped differently from the cutaway regions of the embodimentshown.

Between the front surface 106 and the stop surface 112, the foam framebody 100 has a frictional contact surface 122 surrounding at least someof the aperture 108 and including a first generally planar surface 124,a second generally planar surface 126 adjacent and generallyperpendicular to the first generally planar surface 124, a thirdgenerally planar surface 128 adjacent and generally perpendicular to thesecond generally planar surface 126, and a fourth generally planarsurface 130 adjacent and generally perpendicular to the first generallyplanar surface 124 and the third generally planar surface 128. Thefrictional contact surface 122 is also generally perpendicular to thefront surface 106 and the stop surface 112.

Referring to FIG. 2, on the rear side 104, the foam frame body 100 has agenerally planar rear surface 132 and defines openings shown generallyat 134 and 136 in the rear surface 132 and on opposite sides near thefirst side 116, and the foam frame body 100 further defines openingsshown generally at 138 and 140 in the rear surface 132 and on oppositesides near the second side 120. As described below, the openings 134 and136 may facilitate connecting the foam frame body 100 to a link body tomount the foam frame body 100 in a landscape orientation with the firstside 116 facing up, and the openings 138 and 140 may facilitateconnecting the foam frame body 100 to such a link body to mount the foamframe body 100 in a portrait orientation with the second side 120 facingup.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, resilient bodies 142, 144, 146, 148, 150,152, 154, and 156 each include a connector for connecting the resilientbody to the foam frame body 100 on the frictional contact surface 122.Referring to FIG. 3, the resilient body 142 for example includes aconnector 158, which is a fastener pin that may be forced through thefrictional contact surface 122 and into the foam frame body 100 toconnect the resilient body 142 to the foam frame body 100 with theresilient body 142 projecting away from the frictional contact surface122. The resilient bodies 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 includesimilar connectors for connecting the resilient bodies to the foam framebody 100 on the frictional contact surface 122. However, in alternativeembodiments, the resilient bodies may be omitted, or the resilientbodies may be connected to the foam frame body 100 using adhesives ordifferent connectors, for example. In still other embodiments, suchresilient projections may be integrally formed with the foam frame body100, for example by cutting the foam frame body 100 (including suchresilient projections) from a larger sheet of foam, or by molding thefoam frame body 100 to include such resilient projections, and in suchembodiments the frictional contact surface may include surfaces of suchresilient projections.

Referring to FIG. 4, the foam frame body 100 may frame an object such asa frame-mounted canvas 160. The frame-mounted canvas 160 includes aframe or support, which is a generally rectangular wood frame 162 havinga thickness of about 1.25 inches or about 4 centimeters in theembodiment shown. The frame-mounted canvas 160 also includes an imagesubstrate, which is canvas 164 (such as a museum-quality canvas, forexample) mounted to the frame 162 in the embodiment shown. The canvas164 may be “gallery wrapped” or otherwise stretched, wrapped around, andmounted to the frame 162 using staples or tacks (not shown) for example.In alternative embodiments, the foam frame body 100 may frame objectsother than the frame-mounted canvas 160, such as a canvas mounted tostretcher bars or to a stretcher frame, or still other differentobjects. The frame-mounted canvas 160 has a peripheral surface 166surrounding and extending rearward from a front surface 168 of thecanvas 164. Some or all of the front surface 168 may be painted,printed, or otherwise bear an image such as a painting, a print, aprinted photograph, or other artwork for example, and the image maycontinue to, or be reflected on, some or all of the peripheral surface166. Alternatively, some or all of the peripheral surface 166 may have acompatible solid colour, such as white for example.

The aperture 108 is no larger in width or in height than theframe-mounted canvas 160, and the frame-mounted canvas 160 is sized andshaped to fit partially or entirely in the aperture 108 with some or allof the peripheral surface 166 fitted tightly and snugly against thefrictional contact surface 122 to cause frictional engagement betweenthe frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheral surface 166. Inthe embodiment shown, the frictional contact surface 122 and theperipheral surface 166 contact each other directly, except whereresilient bodies 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 arepositioned between the frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheralsurface 166. Such frictional engagement connects and secures theframe-mounted canvas 160 to the foam frame body 100 to hold theframe-mounted canvas 160 in place relative to the foam frame body 100when at least some of the frame-mounted canvas 160 is positioned in theaperture 108 with some or all of the peripheral surface 166 infrictional engagement with the frictional contact surface 122.

The resilient bodies 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, and 156 formresilient projections projecting from the frictional contact surface 122and may facilitate frictional engagement with the peripheral surface166. Because frictional engagement connects and secures theframe-mounted canvas 160 to the foam frame body 100, the frame-mountedcanvas 160 is also removable from the foam frame body 100. Further, thesame or different frame-mounted canvas may be connected to the foamframe body 100, so the foam frame body 100 is thus a reusable framingapparatus for framing and displaying objects such as the frame-mountedcanvas 160.

As indicated above, the foam frame body 100 is formed from “EVA 45”foam, which has been found to be sufficiently resilient and rigid topermit frictional engagement between the frictional contact surface 122and the peripheral surface 166, although alternative embodiments mayinclude other foam materials that may have different densities but thatare also sufficiently resilient and rigid to permit such frictionalengagement, because some foam materials may be too soft or flexible, ortoo rigid, to permit such frictional engagement. Because the foam framebody 100 is sufficiently resilient and rigid to permit frictionalengagement between the frictional contact surface 122 and the peripheralsurface 166, the frame-mounted canvas 160 may “pop in” and “pop out” offrictional engagement with the foam frame body 100 in the aperture 108.

Some factors may be relevant when selecting a foam material. In general,a foam material having a relatively higher density may be more resistantto loss of hardness over time, and foam materials having a greaterresistance to fatigue testing (for example by repeated flexing orcompressing) may be preferable. Also, in general, the resilience of foammaterial may be measured by dropping a steel ball onto a standard-sizedpiece and measuring a height that the steel ball bounces. A foam productknown as ENDURO™ EN36-100 from Dunlop Foams has relatively very highresilience. Generally, in various different embodiments, variousdifferent foams may be used, including any suitable polymer elastomer,such as, for example, polyether, polyester, polyurethane, polyethylene(such as, for example, ETHAFOAM™), closed-cell sponge rubber, open-cellsponge rubber, latex rubber, high-density foams, and high-resiliencefoams. One embodiment of a foam frame body includes a polymer foamincluding a polymer elastomer that has a compression index ranging fromabout 0.4 to about 0.8, which may enable sufficient “push-back” when aframe-mounted canvas is inserted into an aperture defined by such a foamframe body.

A rear surface 170 of the frame-mounted canvas 160 may be positionedagainst the stop surface 112 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 isreceived fully in the aperture 108. The stop 110 thus prevents theframe-mounted canvas 160 from passing entirely through the aperture 108when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in the aperture 108 fromthe front side 102 of the foam frame body 100. As shown in FIGS. 5 and6, when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture108 with the rear surface 170 contacting the stop surface 112, a portionof the frame-mounted canvas 160 extends in front of the front surface106, which may provide an appearance similar to an appearance of otherfloater frames, although in alternative embodiments objects framed by afoam frame body may be generally flush with a front surface of the foamframe body or may have still other different dimensions or differentappearances.

Referring to FIG. 7, a mounting apparatus according to one embodiment isshown generally at 172 and includes a link body 174 and fasteners 176and 178. The link body 174 in the embodiment shown is a flexible metalwire twisted to form a closed loop shown generally at 180 near one endof the metal wire and a closed loop shown generally at 182 near theother end of the metal wire. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the fasteners176 and 178 are each sized to be received securely in one of theopenings 134, 136, 138, and 140 to connect the link body 174 to the foamframe body 100, when the closed loop 180 is connected to one of thefasteners 176 and 178 and the closed loop 182 connected to the other ofthe fasteners 176 and 178, to facilitate mounting the foam frame body100 to a wall. The link body 174 is therefore connectable to the foamframe body 100, and the link body 174 is also connectable to a wall asshown in FIG. 8 and described below.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, if the fasteners 176 and 178 areconnected to the openings 134 and 136 with the closed loop 180 connectedto one of the fasteners 176 and 178 and the closed loop 182 connected tothe other of the fasteners 176 and 178, then the foam frame body 100 maybe mounted to a wall 184 in a landscape orientation (as shown in FIG. 8)with the first side 116 facing up by supporting the link body 174 on afastener 186 fastened to the wall 184. Further, when the frame-mountedcanvas 160 is received in the aperture 108 with the peripheral surface166 in frictional engagement with the frictional contact surface 122,and when the foam frame body 100 is mounted to the wall 184 bysupporting the link body 174 on the fastener 186 fastened to the wall184, the frame-mounted canvas 160 is also mounted to the wall 184. Themounting apparatus 172 is therefore configured to connect the foam framebody 100 to the wall 184 independently of the frame-mounted canvas 160,and therefore causes the wall 184 to support the frame-mounted canvas160 only by supporting the foam frame body 100.

Alternatively, if the fasteners 176 and 178 are connected to theopenings 138 and 140 with the closed loop 180 connected to one of thefasteners 176 and 178 and the closed loop 182 connected to the other ofthe fasteners 176 and 178, then the foam frame body 100 may be mountedto a wall in a portrait orientation, with the second side 120 facing up,by supporting the link body 174 on the wall 184.

Referring to FIG. 9, a mounting apparatus according to anotherembodiment is shown generally at 188 and includes a fastener 190 and amarker body 192. The fastener 190 includes a nail shaft 194 that may benailed into and fastened to a wall, and a nail head 196 that mayfunction as a connector as described below. The marker body 192surrounds a portion of the nail shaft 194 and may slide along the nailshaft 194 and remain in a position that indicates a distance along thenail shaft 194.

Referring to FIG. 10, a saw-tooth hanger body 198 includes a pluralityof recesses shown generally at 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208, and flangeson opposite sides of the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 definethrough openings shown generally at 210 and 212. The through-openings210 and 212 are sized to receive respective fasteners 214 and 216 tofasten the saw-tooth hanger body 198 to a rear side of the frame-mountedcanvas 160 shown generally at 218 and opposite the front surface 168, asshown in FIG. 11. Further, the flanges that define the through openings210 and 212 are transversely offset from the recesses 200, 202, 204,206, and 208 to define a space shown generally at 220 behind therecesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 and sized to receive a portion ofthe nail head 196, as also shown in FIG. 11. In various commercialofferings, the frame-mounted canvas 160 may be sold or distributed withthe saw-tooth hanger body 198 already connected to the frame-mountedcanvas 160, or the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and the fasteners 214 and216 may be sold or distributed either separately or with theframe-mounted canvas 160 but detached from the frame-mounted canvas 160.

Referring to FIG. 11, once the saw-tooth hanger body 198 is connected tothe rear side of the frame-mounted canvas 160, and when theframe-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108, themounting apparatus 188 may be connected to the saw-tooth hanger body 198by positioning a portion of the nail head 196 in the space 220 and bypositioning a portion of the nail shaft 194 in one of the recesses 200,202, 204, 206, and 208 (shown in FIG. 10), with a portion of the nailshaft 194 received in the cutaway region 114. The saw-tooth hanger body198 is thus a connector on the frame-mounted canvas 160 that iscomplementary to the nail head 196. Then, the marker body 192 may bepositioned in a position on the nail shaft 194 that is generallycoplanar with the rear surface 132 of the foam frame body 100, as shownin FIG. 11. When the marker body 192 is thus positioned, the marker body192 indicates a distance between the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and therear surface 132 of the foam frame body 100 when the frame-mountedcanvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108. In alternativeembodiments, the cutaway region 114 may be smaller than in theembodiment shown, the marker body 192 may be larger than in theembodiment shown, or the saw-tooth hanger body 198 may be positionedhigher on the frame-mounted canvas 160 than in the embodiment shown, andin such embodiments the marker body 192 may contact the rear surface 132instead of being received in the cutaway region 114 as in the embodimentshown, but nevertheless the marker body 192 may indicate a distancebetween the saw-tooth hanger body 198 and the rear surface 132 of thefoam frame body 100 when the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fullyin the aperture 108.

Once the marker body 192 is positioned as described above, the fastener190 may be disconnected from the tooth hanger body 198, whilemaintaining the marker body 192 generally constantly in the position onthe nail shaft 194 described above. Then, while still maintaining themarker body 192 generally constantly in the position on the nail shaft194 described above, the fastener 190 may be connected to a wall 222,which in the embodiment shown includes a drywall sheet 224 mounted on awood stud 226, by positioning the nail shaft 194 in the wall 222 to adepth until the marker body 192 contacts an outer surface 228 of thewall 222, as shown in FIG. 12. When the nail shaft 194 is thuspositioned, the nail head 196 is a distance from the outer surface 228according to the position of the marker body 192 on the nail shaft 194,which (as indicated above) indicates a distance between the saw-toothhanger body 198 and the rear surface 132 of the foam frame body 100 whenthe frame-mounted canvas 160 is received fully in the aperture 108.

Referring to FIG. 13, once the fastener 190 is connected to the wall 222as shown in FIG. 12, the saw-tooth hanger body 198 may be connected tothe fastener 190 again by positioning a portion of the nail head 196 inthe space 220 and by positioning a portion of the nail shaft 194 in oneof the recesses 200, 202, 204, 206, and 208 (shown in FIG. 10), againwith a portion of the nail shaft 194 received in the cutaway region 114.The fastener 190 thus extends through the aperture 108 of the foam framebody 100 to connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 222, andsupports and mounts the frame-mounted canvas 160 on the wall 222.Further, because the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in theaperture 108 with the peripheral surface 166 in frictional engagementwith the frictional contact surface 122, the foam frame body 100 is alsomounted to the wall 222. The mounting apparatus 188 is thereforeconfigured to connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 222independently of the foam frame body 100, and therefore causes the wall222 to support the foam frame body 100 only by supporting theframe-mounted canvas 160. As indicated above, in alternativeembodiments, the cutaway region 114 may be smaller than in theembodiment shown, the marker body 192 may be larger than in theembodiment shown, or the saw-tooth hanger body 198 may be positionedhigher on the frame-mounted canvas 160 than in the embodiment shown, andin such embodiments the marker body 192 may contact the rear surface 132and cause a small gap between the rear surface 132 and the wall 222.

Referring to FIG. 14, a mounting apparatus according to anotherembodiment is shown generally at 230 and includes a link body 232coupled to a retaining body 234. In the embodiment shown, the link body232 includes flexible thermoplastic sheets 236 adhered at one end to theretaining body 234, with a grommet 238 defining a through-openingextending through the thermoplastic sheets 236 and the retaining body234, although alternative embodiments may include materials other thanflexible thermoplastic sheets. At the other end of the link body 232, agrommet 240 defines a through-opening extending through thethermoplastic sheets 236. The retaining body 234 includes a retainingflange 242 extending generally perpendicular to the portion of theretaining body 234 that is adhered to the thermoplastic sheets 236.

Referring to FIG. 15, the retaining body 234 may be connected to theframe-mounted canvas 160 by positioning the retaining flange 242 betweenthe frame 162 and the canvas 164, and by positioning a fastener 244through the through-opening defined by the grommet 238 and into theframe 162. The retaining body 234, and the link body 232 coupled to theretaining body 234, are thus connectable to the frame-mounted canvas160. Also, a fastener 246 may be positioned through the through-openingdefined by the grommet 240 and connected to a wall 248, which in theembodiment shown includes a drywall sheet 250 mounted on a wood stud252, and when the fastener 246 connects the grommet 240 to the wall 248,a portion of the link body 232 is received in the cutaway region 114.The link body 232 is thus connectable to the wall 248, and the mountingapparatus 230 thus extends through the aperture 108 of the foam framebody 100 to connect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 248 and tosupport and mount the frame-mounted canvas 160 on the wall 248. Also,because the frame-mounted canvas 160 is received in the aperture 108with the peripheral surface 166 in frictional engagement with thefrictional contact surface 122, the foam frame body 100 is also mountedto the wall 248. The mounting apparatus 230 is therefore configured toconnect the frame-mounted canvas 160 to the wall 248 independently ofthe foam frame body 100, and therefore causes the wall 248 to supportthe foam frame body 100 only by supporting the frame-mounted canvas 160.

Referring to FIG. 16, a mounting apparatus according to anotherembodiment is shown generally at 264 and includes a link body 266coupled to a retaining body 268, which is similar to the retaining body234 (shown in FIGS. 14 and 15), and which is likewise connectable to theframe-mounted canvas 160 as described above and as shown in FIG. 15. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the link body 266 includes flexiblethermoplastic sheets 270 adhered at one end to the retaining body 268,with a grommet 272 defining a through-opening extending through thethermoplastic sheets 270 and the retaining body 268, althoughalternative embodiments may include materials other than flexiblethermoplastic sheets. At the other end of the link body 266, theflexible thermoplastic sheets 270 are adhered to a connecting body 274that defines a hook 276, which is connectable to the fastener 246 (shownin FIG. 15). Therefore, as an alternative to the mounting apparatus 230,the mounting apparatus 264 connects to the fastener 246 using the hook276 instead of the grommet 240. Alternative embodiments may includestill other different connectors that connect a link body to a wall andto an object such as a frame-mounted canvas.

FIG. 17 illustrates a foam frame body 254 according to anotherembodiment. The foam frame body 254 is similar to the foam frame body100, except that the foam frame body 254 defines two apertures showngenerally at 256 and 258. Each of the apertures 256 and 258 is similarto the aperture 108 and may receive at least some of a respectiveframe-mounted canvas. In one embodiment, FIG. 18 illustrates aframe-mounted canvas 260 partially received in the aperture 256 and aframe-mounted canvas 262 partially received in the aperture 258.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a foam frame body 278 according to anotherembodiment. The foam frame body 278 has a front side shown generally at280 and a rear side shown generally at 282 and opposite the front side280. On the front side 280, the foam frame body 278 has a generallyplanar and generally rectangular front surface 284 that defines anopening to an aperture shown generally at 286. On the rear side 282, thefoam frame body 278 has a generally planar and generally rectangularrear surface 288 that also defines an opening to the aperture 286.Inside the aperture 286, the foam frame body 278 defines a stop 290having a stop surface 292 on the front side of the stop 290 and facingthe front side 280 of the foam frame body 278 but recessed behind thefront surface 284. In the embodiment shown, the stop 290 is a ledgehaving a rear surface that is opposite the stop surface 292 and that isgenerally continuous with and co-planar with the rear surface 288 sothat the opening to the aperture 286 on the rear side 282 is smallerthan the opening to the aperture 286 on the front side 280 by an amountdefined by a thickness of the stop surface 292.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the foam frame body 278 may frame anobject such as a frame-mounted canvas 294. In the embodiment shown, theframe-mounted canvas 294 is similar to the frame-mounted canvas 160 andincludes an image substrate such as a canvas 296 having a front surface298 on a front side of the frame-mounted canvas 294. Some or all of thefront surface 298 may be painted, printed, or otherwise bear an imagesuch as a painting, a print, a printed photograph, or other artwork forexample, and the image may continue to, or be reflected on, some or allof a peripheral surface of the frame-mounted canvas 294. Alternatively,some or all of the peripheral surface may have a compatible solidcolour, such as white for example.

As shown in FIG. 21, a rear side of the frame-mounted canvas 294(opposite the front surface 298) may be positioned against the stopsurface 292 such that the front surface 298 is exposed on the front side280 of the foam frame body 278 and framed by the front surface 284.Also, as shown in FIG. 22, the front side of the frame-mounted canvas294 may be positioned against the stop surface 292 such that the frontsurface 298 is exposed on the rear side 282 of the foam frame body 278and framed by the rear surface 288 and a rear surface of the stop 290.The foam frame body 278, the frame-mounted canvas 294, or both may thenbe mounted to a wall, as described herein for example. The foam framebody 278 is thus reversible and allows a front side of an object, suchas the front side of the frame-mounted canvas 294 for example, to beframed either on the front side 280 of the foam frame body 278, whichmay provide an appearance for the front surface 298 similar to anappearance of other floater frames, or on the rear side 282 of the foamframe body 278, which causes the stop 290 to cover a portion of thefront surface 298 and frame (or surround) another portion of the frontsurface 298, which may provide a different framed appearance for thefront surface 298. Without limiting any of the embodiments describedherein, ornamental designs of the foam frame bodies shown in thedrawings are also disclosed. In some ornamental designs, one or more ofrelative widths, heights, or thicknesses, or one or more of otherdimensions, may vary from those shown in the drawings. In someornamental designs, one or more objects, such as frame-mounted canvasesshown in the drawings, may form part of the ornamental designs or mayform no part of the ornamental designs.

The foam frame bodies 100, 254, and 278 in the embodiments shown aregenerally rectangular, but foam frame bodies in alternative embodimentsmay be generally square, generally circular, or generally oval-shaped,for example. More generally, foam frame bodies in alternativeembodiments may have different appearances than the foam frame bodies100, 254, and 278. For example, foam frame bodies in alternativeembodiments may have rounded exterior corners instead of the squareexterior corners in the embodiments shown, and foam frame bodies inalternative embodiments may have different thicknesses, widths, orheights. Further, foam frame bodies of still other embodiments mayinclude one, two, or more than two apertures having sizes, shapes, andlocations in the foam frame bodies that differ from the embodimentsdescribed above.

In general, embodiments such as those described above may be reusableframing apparatuses for framing and displaying an object such as theframe-mounted canvas 160, 260, 262, or 294 to provide an appearancesimilar to an appearance of other floater frames but without requiringcumbersome, costly, and time-consuming steps or complex tools and skillsthat may be required for such other floater frames. For example, theframe-mounted canvas 160, 260, 262, or 294 may be connected and securedto the foam frame body 100, 254, or 278 without requiring nails, screws,tape, or other separate fasteners, and likewise. Embodiments such asthose described above may therefore provide relatively easy, simple, andinexpensive display frames for objects such as the frame-mounted canvas160, 260, 262, or 294 when compared to other frames such as otherfloater frames.

Although specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, suchembodiments should be considered illustrative only and not as limitingthe invention as construed according to the accompanying claims.

1. A method of framing an object having a peripheral surface, the methodcomprising: positioning at least some of the object in an aperturedefined by a foam frame body with at least some of the peripheralsurface of the object in frictional engagement with a frictional contactsurface of the foam frame body surrounding at least some of the apertureof the foam frame body.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein positioning theat least some of the object in the aperture comprises framing a frontside of the object, wherein framing the front side of the objectcomprises positioning a rear side of the object opposite the front sideof the object against at least one stop in the aperture.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein positioning the at least some of the object in theaperture comprises framing a front side of the object, wherein framingthe front side of the object comprises positioning the front side of theobject against at least one stop in the aperture.
 4. The method of claim3 wherein framing the front side of the object further comprisescovering a portion of the front side of the object with the at least onestop.
 5. The method of claim 3 wherein framing the front side of theobject further comprises surrounding a portion of the front side of theobject with the at least one stop.
 6. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising mounting the object and the foam frame body to a wall.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein mounting the object and the foam frame body tothe wall comprises causing the wall to support the object and to supportthe foam frame body only by supporting the object.
 8. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the object comprises a frame and a canvas mounted to theframe.
 9. A framing apparatus for framing an object having a peripheralsurface, the apparatus comprising: a foam frame body defining anaperture and having a frictional contact surface surrounding at leastsome of the aperture for frictionally engaging at least some of theperipheral surface of the object.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 furthercomprising at least one stop in the aperture.
 11. The apparatus of claim10 wherein the at least one stop defines a stop surface recessed behinda front surface of the foam frame body.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11wherein the front surface of the foam frame body defines a framepositioned to frame a front surface of the object when a portion of arear surface of the object opposite the front surface of the object ispositioned against the stop surface.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11wherein the at least one stop comprises a ledge having a rear surfacethat is opposite the stop surface and that is generally continuous witha rear surface of the foam frame body opposite the front surface of thefoam frame body.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rear surfaceof the ledge defines a frame positioned to frame a front surface of theobject when a portion of the front surface of the object is positionedagainst the stop surface.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rearsurface of the ledge and the rear surface of the foam frame body aregenerally coplanar.
 16. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the frictionalcontact surface of the foam frame body comprises: a first generallyplanar surface; a second generally planar surface adjacent and generallyperpendicular to the first generally planar surface; a third generallyplanar surface adjacent and generally perpendicular to the secondgenerally planar surface; and a fourth generally planar surface adjacentand generally perpendicular to the first and third generally planarsurfaces.
 17. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a mountingapparatus configured to mount the object and the foam frame body to awall.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the mounting apparatus isconfigured to connect the object to the wall independently of the foamframe body.
 19. A kit comprising: a framing apparatus for framing anobject having a peripheral surface, the apparatus comprising a foamframe body defining an aperture and having a frictional contact surfacesurrounding at least some of the aperture for frictionally engaging atleast some of the peripheral surface of the object; and the object. 20.The kit of claim 19 wherein the object comprises a frame and a canvasmounted to the frame.